Daily Summary
Human rights lawyer criticizes Representative Omar for ‘systemic antisemitism’
December 7, 2021 — Her antisemitic remarks have led some conservative lawmakers to call for Omar’s removal from committees, and even for her removal from Congress altogether. However, Omar’s heavily-left Minnesota district may struggle to find enough support from voters during the 2022 election to change the situation.
Christian TV network founder who built studio in Israel dies from COVID-19
December 6, 2021 — Lamb’s story includes receiving the idea to start his first TV station in Alabama while in Israel in 1983. He started the Montgomery station in 1985, later launching Daystar in Texas in 1997, with a global outreach of two billion potential viewers worldwide.
United Nations passes resolution disavowing Jewish ties to the Temple Mount
December 3, 2021 — Instead of acknowledging the Temple Mount as the holiest site in Judaism, the resolution refers to the site only by the Muslim name of al-Haram al-Sharif, or the Noble Sanctuary, considered the third-holiest site in Islam. Despite the UN’s declared efforts claiming to fight antisemitism, the global organization has often supported resolutions and other biased efforts against the Jewish state.
Why Tel Aviv has been rated world’s most expensive city
December 2, 2021 — Israel can build upon the successes of the world's most expensive city, but will need to find ways to lower its residents' costs of living when possible, especially housing costs, to keep the city moving forward
Israel’s first ambassador to Bahrain begins historic role
December 1, 2021 — His Bahraini counterpart, Khaled al-Jalahma, began his ambassadorship to Israel in September, which also marked the Accords’ one-year anniversary. Since then, Morocco and Sudan have joined. The Accords are the first major normalization agreement between Israel and other nations in the Middle East in more than 25 years, since the peace agreements with Egypt and Jordan.
Duke University forced to recognize pro-Israel group after student government rejects it
November 30, 2021 — The situation is not the first concern regarding antisemitism at Duke University. In 2020, the school agreed on a settlement with the US Department of Education regarding an allegation of antisemitism concerning the Zionist Organization of America. Though Duke did not admit to wrongdoing, the university agreed to revise its discrimination policy to “provide a description of forms of antisemitism that can manifest in the university environment.”
Herzog encourages fight against antisemitism and Iran in visit with UK’s prime minister
November 29, 2021 — The focus on Iran came amid an urgency noted both Herzog and Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett in recent meetings. Iran has recently indicated an interest in returning to talks about renewing the Iranian nuclear deal of 2015, though Israel’s leaders do not expect the discussion to change Iran’s current efforts to speed uranium enrichment.
Israel and Morocco sign historic military memorandum
November 26, 2021 — Morocco’s signing of the Abraham Accords in 2020 also led to then US president Donald Trump’s administration to recognize the nation’s sovereignty over a disputed portion of the Western Sahara Desert, ending a long-term controversy over the issue. President Joe Biden has been more cautious, failing to move ahead with official recognition over the territory.
Israel, Jordan, UAE sign massive energy deal
November 25, 2021 — The deal is certainly also to benefit Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and a coalition government seeking to build on its promise of unity. Despite setbacks via recent terrorist attacks and ongoing rhetoric over Iran, the progress seen in this deal and others like it show positive moves taking place that Israel and its neighbors can celebrate.
Israel’s leaders believe Iran will produce a nuke in five years regardless of deal
November 24, 2021 — A recent communication from the Biden administration discouraged Israel from acting independently against Iran’s nuclear targets. The message claimed that such acts are counterproductive and only encourage Iran to speed up its nuke program.
President Herzog meets with Prince Charles during UK visit
November 23, 2021 — Herzog’s itinerary also includes meetings with Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, along with other British political leaders and Jewish community leaders. Another area of focus during the trip is Iran. The UK is part of the 2015 nuclear deal that nations are meeting in Vienna to discuss its restarting following the US pullout from the agreement by the Trump administration.
Bachmann calls for easing travel requirements to Israel
November 22, 2021 — Former congresswoman and one-time Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann first visited Israel in 1974, when she worked on a kibbutz near Beersheva. She noted she has traveled to Israel 25 times so far, including her work as co-chair of the Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast. The former congresswoman now serves as head of the school of government at Regent University in Virginia.